Banned Books bound by a belt of flagged words in government memos of the Trump Administration. Sourced from one weekend edition newspaper after the death of Charlie Kirk and the ensuing debates about free speech.
A BIND – Banned Book Week 2025- WSJ 9/13-14, 2025
2 × 30in, straps × variable, Analog newspaper collage on ribbon, blanket packaging, and banned books from artist library
In response to the upcoming banned book week I create a last minute work specifically for our Free to Sp%@K! exhibition using language that has been flagged in the Trump Administration’s government memos. I chose the weekend Wall Street Journal edition, September 13-14, 2025 following the killing of Charlie Kirk on September 11th. The first Amendment was drawn into focus as people struggled with Charlie Kirk’s message and the political violence. There was a new found tension in the debate between expression and hate speech and the range of intense feelings, complicated by extreme political views and a moral compass.
There was a demand for martyrdom and compassion for a divisive person and message. There was a confusion that not feeling devastated was celebrating a murder. It was fascinating to me how specific words could be vastly interpreted.
Artist Marty O mentioned he dismay at the growing New York Times List of Disappearing Words, flagged in government memos. Perusing the newly banned books for 2025 I found myself ruminating on the power of language and tone, and the recurring attempts to contain them.
It is clear that we cannot control how words are heard when they pass through the filters of individual life experience.
EXHIBITIONS
- 2025 Free To Sp%@K!, Village Well Books & Coffee Art Gallery, Culver City, CA